Oilers GM Ken Holland believes Anton Slepyshev would have been a bottom-six forward in the NHL had he opted to return to North America.

Holland offered Slepyshev a one or two-year deal to play for the Oilers. However, Slepyshev opted to sign a two-year extension with CSKA Moscow in the hopes of building off his great 2019-20 campaign in the KHL. He scored 18 goals and 45 points in 54 KHL contests. “I watched Slepyshev play in Russia and he works hard and I felt he could be a bottom-six player who could move up (lineup with injuries),” said Holland. "He didn’t want to come over for the opportunity. But I would think he’s making significantly more money there when you factor in the tax rate and the escrow (for NHLers)." Holland will move on from Slepyshev will the aim of finding alternate bottom-six forwards for the 2020-21 Oilers. Apr 10 10:19 am (EST)